SAC approves amendments in Panchayati Raj Act to give more power to PRIs: J-K Govt

In a significant decision aimed to strengthen the grass root democracy and participative planning in Jammu and Kashmir, the State Administrative Council (SAC) Thursday approved the required amendments in the Panchayati Raj Act, 1989.

"The amendments with far reaching consequences will assure placement of funds, functions and functionaries at the disposal of PRIs (Panchayati Raj Institutions)," an official spokesman said.

The SAC gave nod to the amendments during a meeting chaired by Governor Satya Pal Malik.

A similar attempt had been made in the year 2011 through a government order but by making the devolution a part of the Act, the government Thursday has not only given adequate teeth to the Panchayats but also made it binding for the government departments to follow it, the spokesman said.

The most significant change is the addition of specific schedules in the Panchayat Act giving extensive powers to Halqa Panchayats and Block Development Councils in many areas, covering almost 20 departments, he said.

There are also specific schedules with financial powers for Halqa Panchayats and Block Development Councils, he added.

"To make the PRIs the true harbingers of socio-economic development, the amendments will ensure well defined taxation powers to the Panchayats for generation of adequate resources by themselves. The amendments define the role of ward majlis/sabha and halqa majlis (Gram Sabha) in detail, placing the power to plan, implement, monitor and supervise various government schemes/ programmes in the hands of people themselves," the spokesman said.

He said the implementation of important schemes like MGNREGA, Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana, Mid-Day Meal and ICDS has been devolved to the Panchayats.

The monitoring and supervision of schools and health institutions has also been passed on to the PRIs to make them accountable to the society, he said.

The Panchayats shall also be conducting concurrent and quarterly social audit of programmes in their area.

However, along with all the authority, responsibility to ensure socio- economic and human development of the area including literacy, sex ratio, water conservation, natural resource management, agriculture/ horticulture development and health has also been placed on the shoulders of the panchayat, the spokesman said adding they have also been made the agents of change through sensitization and awareness generation.